Meeting Robin Williams: A gift I’ll always cherish

I was one of the fortunate ones: As a TV critic, I had the pleasure of having what amounts to a front-row seat to the hilarity that was Robin Williams — not just once but several times.

His most recent press sessions were for his CBS comedy, “The Crazy Ones.” At those Q&A’s, Williams not only interacted with us, but the ensemble that filled out the show.

That’s when his kindness shone. Even though most of the younger actors who surrounded him — Sarah Michelle Gellar (in photo below with Williams) and James Wolk, for instance — were known best for drama, he managed to bring out their comic side, helped them be the center of attention as well.

Williams also was generous with compliments — making sure those around him felt proud of their own work.

My favorite encounter, however, was my first — in 2009 — when Williams appeared before us solo to promote an HBO special.

I was a big fan of his work — not only in his many comedies, such as “The Birdcage,” but his moving performances in dramatic films — “Good Will Hunting,” “Dead Poets Society” and more.

I especially loved the eccentricity and tenderness he brought to his turn as a homeless man in “The Fisher King.”

Yes, the anticipation of his visit and the fun that was to come kept my face in smiling mode all day.

My only concern: It was a mere five months after the comic icon had undergone heart surgery. Would Williams be up to the session? Would he be the man we all knew and loved — that master of the rapid-fire delivery and loony improv?

I needn’t have worried.

Williams was in top form — even in front of what he called a really tough group: a room full of tired TV critics.

Though somewhat less frenetic and physical than we were used to, he was as on-target as ever when it came to zesty zinging.

He exuded a genuine amusement over our changing world, and it was wonderfully contagious.

I especially loved his take on the teen epidemic that had affected my own son — texting — and the sometimes scary way society has become obsessed with everything online.

For instance, he brought up Twitter etiquette. “Is it proper to Twitter during sex? OMG! OMG!”

He said the fact that we now had a president that was bright and “intentionally funny” was great for the country, but hard on comedians.

Why, even “W” was laying low, he said. The former president has yet to start his “misspeaking” tour.

As for his heart surgery, that also provided funny fodder. “It was interesting that I had the surgery at the Cleveland Clinic,” he began. “I woke up, going, ‘Where am I?’ And they said, ‘Cleveland.’ I kept going, ‘Why?’ ”

I can’t share all the jokes from that day — besides, with many, you kind of had to be there enjoying the distinctively crazy way Williams delivered them.

I can tell you this much though: In my 30-plus years as a television critic, those 45 minutes with Robin Williams easily were a top-five highlight.

When I walked up after to say “Hello,” and tell him how much happiness he had given me over the years, he warmly took my hand and thanked me, making my smile grow even brighter.

That’s one reason his tragic death hit me and countless others so hard Monday: How could someone who had such a talent for making everyone around him feel that good wind up in so dark a place?

Whatever the answer — if there is a clear answer — it shouldn’t be the thing we remember most about Robin Williams.

When a fellow TV critic asked him recently what made him happy, he responded: “My family, work and, I think, creating.”

It’s the creating we should cherish — the multitude of timeless gifts on TV and in film that this inordinately talented man gave us.

So, Godspeed, Robin. . .your legacy is massive and I plan to keep enjoying every minute of it.